This summer, Kayak for a Cause

NORWALK - Kayak for a Cause (KFAC) will be holding its annual fundraiser on July 21.

The fundraiser brings kayakers and their favorite charities together to help raise money for causes that focus on ways to protect the environment and the community.

This is the 12th year that the fundraiser has been gathering kayakers to raise money for local charities such as Save the Sound and Builders Beyond Borders.

This year is extra special because the fundraiser will be setting a record with having 34 charities on board.

At the end of the event, 80 percent of the proceeds will go to the participating charities.

Julie Parr, director of development for Save the Sound stresses the importance of the partnership between KFAC and Save the Sound.

"Save the Sound, which is the Connecticut Captain for International Coastal Clean Up Day prioritizes Kayak for a Cause because of their mutual common mission of using the water, being involved with the water, and making sure the water remains clean," she said.

She added that KFAC does an amazing job raising awareness of the importance of preserving the Long Island Sound to a large group of people. According to Parr, last year Save the Sound received $15,000 from KFAC.

Karen Meyer, program manager for Builders Beyond Borders is excited to be in the fundraiser this year.

"It got started with some friends and became wildly successful, because of the focus it has on charities," she said.

She added that she is looking forward to the event because it brings together people who enjoy staying active and coming together for the community.

This annual event started in 2000 as a bet for fifty dollars between two friends and co-founders, Miles Spencer and Scott Carlin.

Since its start, Kayak for a Cause has raised more than $2 million and has brought 1,500 kayakers to the beach to raise money for charity.

The cause set a Guinness World Record for most sea kayaks launched at one time with three hundred and three kayakers.

KFAC will be starting in either Norwalk or Long Island this year where paddlers will paddle thirteen miles across the Long Island Sound. The cause also hopes to have one hundred participants this year.

They emphasize that anyone can help, even if they have never kayaked before by volunteering or supporting paddlers by donating online.